Judge won't dismiss new charges against former Sen. Joseph Bruno

ALBANY -- A federal judge has refused to dismiss two fraud charges filed against former New York Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno after his original convictions were overturned.

The 83-year-old was convicted in 2009 of two charges of honest services fraud and acquitted of five others. Prosecutors said he used his influence as a legislator to make money through undisclosed consulting on the side.

An appeals court voided the convictions last year, citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision in another case that prosecutors must show direct bribes or kickbacks.

U.S. District Judge Gary Sharpe said in a decision released Wednesday that the new indictment doesn't subject Bruno to unconstitutional double jeopardy since his convictions were set aside.